a poor answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a poor answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a response that is inadequate, unsatisfactory, or lacking in quality. Example: "After reviewing the responses, I must say that his explanation was a poor answer to the question posed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Good night.' Really I have to say this is a poor answer.

The Guardian - Arts

Her first reflex is that this is a poor answer and shows that he must be an impostor.

The Guardian - Books

But when political leaders play the same games of rhetorical inflation, who can blame voters for following suit?The Economist has consistently said the Lisbon Treaty is a poor answer to a good question: how does the EU become more transparent and more democratic.

The Economist

Ding's anti-Grunfeld 3 f3 has scored well after d5 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 e4 Nbut6 Nc3…Nc6 7 Be3, but 3…Nc6?! is a poor answer as Black gets an inferior version of the King's Indian Four Pawns Attack without the usual counterplay against White's pawn phalanx, which soon led to the thematic 14 e5!

The Guardian - Sport

However, it is a poor answer.

SEP

But this type of censorship is a poor answer to the sexual dysfunction of our society.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Public debt is high and rising, the government has not run a surplus in over 35 years, the banks are undercapitalised, unemployment is persistent and corrosive and, at 56% of GDP, the French state is the biggest of any euro country.Mr Hollande's programme seems a very poor answer to all this especially given that France's neighbours have been undergoing genuine reforms.

The Economist

Directly after the posttest, the answer sheets for both pre- and posttests were blindly scored by the facilitator in a standardised manner using a 5-point scale (0 = no answer, 1 = poor answer, 2 = arguable answer, 3 = acceptable answer and 4 = good answer).

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

" Saying "I know!" is yet another poor answer.

WikiHow

Relevant/good and poor answers (incorrect plus partly correct answers) were calculated for each aspect of SC.

BioMed Research International

Criteria for exclusion were age less than 20 years, insufficient data, or poor answers to the questionnaire.

BMC Gastroenterology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a response, use "a poor answer" to directly convey its inadequacy, providing specific reasons for its shortcomings to ensure clarity and promote improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "a poor answer" as a generic dismissal. Always provide context and explain why the answer is inadequate to ensure constructive feedback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a poor answer" functions as a noun phrase, where "poor" is an adjective modifying the noun "answer". It typically acts as a subject complement or direct object, describing the quality of a response. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a poor answer" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase used to express dissatisfaction with the quality of a response. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and while it is commonly found in News & Media and Science, careful consideration is needed in formal contexts due to its directness. When using the phrase, providing specific reasons for the answer's inadequacy ensures constructive feedback. Alternative phrases such as "an inadequate response" or "a weak reply" can be used to subtly alter the connotation. The phrase, although uncommon, is helpful in various situations when feedback about an unsatisfactory reply is due.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inadequate response

This alternative emphasizes the lack of sufficiency or suitability in the answer.

an unsatisfactory reply

This emphasizes that the answer did not meet expectations or requirements.

a substandard explanation

This highlights the low quality or inferiority of the explanation given.

a deficient response

This suggests the answer is lacking essential elements or qualities.

a weak reply

This indicates the answer lacks strength, conviction, or persuasiveness.

a flawed answer

This alternative points out specific errors or imperfections in the answer.

a poor excuse

Shifts the focus to the answer being a justification rather than a direct response.

an unconvincing response

Highlights the lack of persuasiveness or credibility in the answer.

an insufficient answer

Indicates the answer does not provide enough detail or information.

a terrible answer

Emphasizes the extreme negativity of the answer's quality.

FAQs

How can I use "a poor answer" in a sentence?

You can use "a poor answer" to describe a response that is inadequate or unsatisfactory. For example, "His explanation was "a poor answer" to the question because it lacked specific details."

What can I say instead of "a poor answer"?

You can use alternatives like "an inadequate response", "an unsatisfactory reply", or "a weak reply" depending on the specific context and the reason for the answer's inadequacy.

Which is correct, "a poor answer" or "poorly answered"?

"A poor answer" is a noun phrase that describes the quality of the answer. "Poorly answered" is an adverbial phrase describing how something was answered. For example, "That was "a poor answer"" versus "The question was poorly answered".

How do I avoid giving "a poor answer" in an interview?

Prepare thoroughly by researching common questions and practicing your responses. Focus on providing clear, concise, and relevant information, and always ask for clarification if you're unsure what's being asked.